It is estimated that in 2018, Google will handle over two trillion searches. That breaks down to about 5.6 billion per day, or 65,000 per second. With the majority of these search results pages including pay-per-click (PPC) ads, it’s easy to see how Google generated almost 100 billion dollars from AdWords in 2017.

So what can a Houston PPC advertiser expect to pay for a click these days?

The answer to that question varies wildly by industry and level of competition. After all, AdWords is an auction. For inexpensive products or services, clicks might only cost a few cents. In scenarios where there’s a huge potential profit to be made, the cost can be several hundred dollars per click!

Most Expensive and Most Searched Keywords

Using Google’s own keyword planning tool and the greater Nielson Houston DMA region as the geographic territory, I investigated the most expensive and most searched keywords in each of Google’s 23 product categories.

In order to examine only search terms that a reasonable number of real people actually search, I filtered the results to only include keywords with more than 100 searches per month.

Cheapest PPC Keywords

Just for fun, I also looked for the least expensive keywords in each category, thinking I might uncover some cheap low-hanging fruit. Instead, it was more like texting with a teenager. I saw mostly words and phrases of which I’d never heard. Some were downright bizarre.

The truth is stranger than fiction.

Here are the results. They are 100% real. I did not make any of these up, pinky swear.

Keyword Stats By Product Category

In the categories below, the tables include the most expensive and most searched keywords. Below the tables are the cheapest deals.

Apparel

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

Trainers Sale

$17.40

110

Most Searched

Forever 21

$0.86

165,000

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “Bam Bam costume.”

Arts and Entertainment

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

Anime School

$29.29

140

Most Searched

Games

$0.48

110,000

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “Minecraft survival.”

Autos and Vehicles

For the most expensive keyword in this category, people are most likely looking for AC repair for their home or business, not their car. Avoid paying $150 per click by calling TheeHouston’s HVAC SEO pros today!

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

air conditioning service near me

$154.00

110

Most Searched

Carmax

$1.05

110,000

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “police motorcycle games.”

Beauty and Personal Care

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

does laser hair removal hurt

$26.75

110

Most Searched

Louis Vuitton

$0.15

90,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.02 per click, advertisers can bid on “Gucci toilet.” Don’t believe me?

Business and Industrial

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

water damage restoration

$114.53

3200

Most Searched

Direct tv

$1.31

90,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “alpaca world.”

That sounds like the coolest theme park ever.

Computers and Consumer Electronics

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

business phone service

$130.42

110

Most Searched

Messenger

$0.12

368,000

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “best nintendo ds games.”

Dining and Nightlife

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

corporate catering

$9.10

170

Most Searched

Dominoes

$0.33

40,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.03 per click, advertisers can bid on “super donuts.”

WHAT IS A SUPER DONUT AND WHERE CAN I GET ONE???

Family and Community

It appears that Houston likes to party.

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

alcoholic

$130.31

110

Most Searched

tinder

$1.04

40,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.02 per click, advertisers can bid on “scorpio birthstone.”

Who would even Google that? Everyone already knows what that is.

Hey, welcome back! I know you just Googled it.

Finance

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

tax lawyer

$110.32

140

Most Searched

mortgage calculator

$2.49

42,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.02 per click, advertisers (and 16 year olds) can bid on “coolest car in the world.”

Food and Groceries

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

grocery pickup

$31.95

140

Most Searched

edible arrangements

$0.77

33,100

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “canned whole chicken.”

Mmmmm. Canned whole chicken.

Health

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

mesothelioma

$149.84

2400

Most Searched

fitbit

$0.47

40,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “protein shakes near me.”

Never skip leg day, bro.

Hobbies, Games, & Leisure

Don’t ask me how digital transformation is a hobby, a game, or a leisure activity.

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

digital transformation

$149.84

2400

Most Searched

games

$0.48

110,000

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “rare hot wheels.”

They’re not toys. They’re collector’s items.

Home and Garden

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

water damage restoration

$114.53

320

Most Searched

rooms to go

$0.33

110,000

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “pigeon spinners.”

“Siri, show me fidget spinners.”

Performing a web search for… pidgeon spinners.

“Nooooo, that’s not what I said!”

Performing a web search for… pasta rye bread.

Internet and Telecom

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

business internet

$149.40

110

Most Searched

messenger

$0.12

368,000

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “rap chips.”

They are what they sound like. They are hip-hop themed potato chips. I was very disappointed to learn I could not buy these without purchasing a whole vending machine. That would be baller though.

Jobs and Education

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

online business degree

$112.07

170

Most Searched

offerup

$1.09

40,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.07 per click, advertisers can bid on “cut and paste.”

I weigh 230 pounds Grandma, and it’s CONTROL+C, then CONTROL+V.

Law and Government

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

truck accident lawyer houston

$389.25

210

Most Searched

reliant energy

$6.50

40,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “xray body scanner.”

Total recall style.

Mobile Apps

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

app development

$70.92

170

Most Searched

text now

$0.17

60,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.02 per click, advertisers can bid on “air horn app.”

News, Books, & Publications

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

translation services

$32.65

140

Most Searched

music downloader

$0.46

60,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.05 per click, advertisers can bid on “cat translator.”

Pro tip: they can already understand you. They’re just not interested.

Occasions and Gifts

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

wedding registry

$19.82

590

Most Searched

edible arrangements

$0.77

33,100

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.02 per click, advertisers can bid on “mexican petunia.”

Real Estate

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

we buy houses houston

$137.39

260

Most Searched

mortgage calculator

$2.49

49,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.08 per click, advertisers can bid on “goat case.”

If there’s one problem with goats, it’s that they’re not very portable. Problem solved.

Retailers & General Merchandise

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

grocery pick up

$31.95

140

Most Searched

car rental

$3.44

40,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “Walmart shorts.”

Jorts are making a comeback. Mark my words.

Sports & Fitness

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

rpa

$21.08

320

Most Searched

adidas

$0.20

110,000

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “he got game 13.”

In the 12th sequel to “He Got Game,” starring Denzel Washington and NBA Allstar Ray Allen, Jesus Shuttleworth (Ray Allen) proves that age is just a number when he becomes the oldest person to ever start for the Houston Rockets at the age of 62 years young.

Travel & Tourism

Keyword

Rec. Bid

Searches/Mo

Most Expensive

timeshare exit team

$57.06

210

Most Searched

uber

$1.41

90,500

Cheapest Keyword: For only $0.01 per click, advertisers can bid on “the stuff.”

Talk With a Google Certified PPC Specialist Today

PPC marketing can be extremely beneficial to your business, but with click costs like these, it is easy to watch your ad budget go up in flames. That is why it is extra important to consult with a professional before treading in dangerous waters. Call TheeHouston today at 281-764-9070 or fill out our contact form to speak with one of our seasoned experts.